all the preceding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all the preceding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to everything that has been mentioned or discussed before in a text or conversation. Example: "In conclusion, we must consider all the preceding arguments before making a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Further, where a series has a completion, all the preceding steps are for the sake of that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The books of Chronicles give all the preceding history, from Adam to the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem and the exile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In some cases this proves too much for the undergraduate, after all the preceding years of parental and scholastic discipline, and he loses his sense of identity.

The New Yorker

However, once the microbe or its toxin is in the living host, all the preceding items except the microbial nucleic acid cannot be analyzed.

Microbial Forensics

As Elizabeth Kolbert notes in our current issue, a few months of sharply rising fuel costs have done more to cut our oil profligacy than all the preceding years of high-minded exhortations.

The New Yorker

But Ayckbourn's direction reveals this haunting diminuendo to be a critical part of the scheme: a form of verbal fugue in which all the preceding narratives are subtly entwined.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

There is, after all, no doubt at all that the preceding events in the town encapsulated the old politics neatly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Through May 30 It doesn't matter if you are male or female, straight or gay, or all of the preceding.

The New York Times - Arts

All of the preceding experiments explored adversarial attacks on 2D images, including both natural photographs and digitally generated textures.

Nature

To compare the behavior of ECC with ECC matrix, all of the preceding properties are also investigated for ECC matrix mixtures of same composition without PVA fiber.

Cement and Concrete Composites

She knew, all throughout the preceding months, that one of her nurses had died whenever a crowd gathered around her office in the mornings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all the preceding", ensure that the context clearly defines what you are referring to. Ambiguity can arise if the preceding information is not easily identifiable.

Common error

Avoid using "all the preceding" if the material you're referencing is spread across multiple sections or is not immediately clear. Instead, be specific by listing or summarizing the items you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all the preceding" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun (often implied) to indicate a reference to previously mentioned items, arguments, or information. This construction is common in academic, scientific, and formal writing, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all the preceding" is a versatile phrase used to refer back to previously mentioned items or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in diverse contexts, ranging from scientific publications to news articles. While suitable for formal writing, ensure that the referenced material is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "everything aforementioned" can provide similar meaning. Remembering best practices such as clearly defining referenced items and avoiding vague references will help writers use the phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything aforementioned

Replaces "preceding" with a more formal term.

all the aforementioned

Synonymous replacement that retains formality.

all that has been mentioned

Rephrases the concept using a verb phrase.

all the prior

Replaces "preceding" with a shorter, equally valid adjective.

the totality of what came before

Offers a more descriptive and emphatic alternative.

everything discussed so far

Indicates a temporal boundary to the mentioned items.

all the above

A shorter phrase often used in questionnaires or lists.

the entirety of previous statements

Replaces "all" with "the entirety" for emphasis and adds "statements" for clarity.

what has already been established

Focuses on the established nature of the information.

all previous information

Replaces "preceding" with "previous" and uses the noun "information".

FAQs

How can I use "all the preceding" in a sentence?

Use "all the preceding" to refer to information, arguments, or items that have already been mentioned or discussed in a text or conversation. For example: "Based on all the preceding evidence, we can conclude..."

What can I say instead of "all the preceding"?

You can use alternatives like "everything aforementioned", "all the aforementioned", or "all that has been mentioned" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "all the preceding" in formal writing?

Yes, "all the preceding" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to concisely refer to previously mentioned points without repeating them. However, ensure clarity in your reference.

What's the difference between "all the preceding" and "all the following"?

"All the preceding" refers to what has already been discussed, while "all the following" refers to what will be discussed next. They are opposite in temporal direction.